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- | S R 0 a v46.1.....!%A | + | ====== The Sydney Bushwalker. ====== |
- | A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to The Sydney Bush Walkers Incorporated, | + | |
- | Wednesday evening from 7.45 pm at the Ella Community Centre, 58a Dalhousie | + | Established June 1931. |
- | Street, Haberfield (next door to the Post Office). Prospective members | + | |
- | and visitors are invited to visit the Club any Wednesday (except 27/9/89 | + | A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to the Sydney Bush Walkers Incorporated, |
- | and 4/10/89). To advertise in this magazine please contact the Business | + | |
- | Manager. | + | ---- |
- | EDITOR | + | |
- | BUSINESS MANAGER | + | |**Editor**|Morag Ryder, Box 347 PO, Gladesville 2111. Telephone 809 4241.| |
- | Hornsby Heights 2077 PRODUCTION MANAGER | + | |**Business Manager**|Anita Doherty, 2 Marine Crescent, Hornsby Heights, 2077.| |
- | TYPIST | + | |**Production Manager**|Helen Gray.| |
- | ILLUSTRATOR | + | |**Typist**|Kath Brown.| |
- | PRINTERS | + | |**Illustrators**|Morag Ryder.| |
- | SEPTEMBER | + | |**Printers**|Kenn Clacher, Les Powell, Barrie Murdoch.| |
- | Attention All Members! | + | |
- | Proposed Purchase of New Printer | + | === September |
- | Walking in the Top End (The NorthernTerritory | + | |
- | High on the Khumbu - Part 2 | + | ===== In This Issue: ===== |
- | The August General Meeting | + | |
- | Letter to the Editor Snow Tent Update Carryings on in Cornwell | + | | | |Page| |
- | The Club Auction New Members | + | |Attention All Members!|Deborah Shapira| 2| |
- | Social Notes | + | |Proposed Purchase of New Printer|Morag Ryder| 2| |
- | Federation Notes Footnotes | + | |Walking in the Top End (The Northern Territory |
- | Advertisements | + | |South-East Forests|Ainslie Morris| 7| |
- | Eastwood Camping Centre | + | |High on the Khumbu - Part 2|Wendy Lippiart & Sever Sternhell| 8| |
- | Blackheath Taxis & Tourist Services | + | |The August General Meeting|Jim Brown|11| |
- | Canoe & Camping - Gladesville & Kogarah Bay | + | |Letter to the Editor|Hans Stichter|13| |
- | Page | + | |Snow Tent Update| |15| |
- | Deborah Shapira 2 | + | |Carryings on in Cornwell|Almis Simankevicius|16| |
- | Morag Ryder 2 | + | |The Club Auction| |17| |
- | Jan Mohandas 3 | + | |New Members| |17| |
- | Ainslie Morris | + | |Social Notes|Dot Butler|18| |
- | Wendy Lippiart & | + | |Federation Notes|Jeff Bridger|18| |
- | Sever Sternhell 8 | + | |Footnotes| |18| |
- | Jim Brown 11 | + | |
- | Hans Stichter 13 | + | ===== Advertisements: ===== |
- | 15 Almis Simankevicius 16 | + | |
- | 17 | + | | |Page| |
- | 17 | + | |Eastwood Camping Centre| 6| |
- | Dot Butler 18 | + | |Blackheath Taxis & Tourist Services|12| |
- | Jeff Bridger 18 | + | |Canoe & Camping - Gladesville & Kogarah Bay|14| |
- | 18 | + | |
- | 6 | + | ---- |
- | 12 | + | |
- | 14 | + | ===== Attention All Members! ===== |
- | Page 2 The Sydney Bushwalker September 1989 | + | |
- | A rr N a' ION ALL MEMBERS I | + | Notice |
- | NOTICE | + | |
- | 1. That the Club replace the printer currently in | + | 1. That the Club replace the printer currently in use. Expected cost is around $8,000. |
- | use. Expected cost is around $8,000. | + | |
2. That the Club compile and produce a Sydney Bush Walker Song Book to be ready, in time for the 1990 Reunion. | 2. That the Club compile and produce a Sydney Bush Walker Song Book to be ready, in time for the 1990 Reunion. | ||
+ | |||
Deborah Shapira | Deborah Shapira | ||
+ | |||
Secretary | Secretary | ||
- | at. | + | |
- | PROPOSED PURCHASE OF NEW PRINTER | + | ---- |
- | by Mdrag Ryder | + | |
+ | ===== Proposed Purchase Of New Printer. ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | by Morag Ryder | ||
At the June Committee Meeting it was decided that a notice be presented at the October General Meeting for the Club to purchase a new printer. | At the June Committee Meeting it was decided that a notice be presented at the October General Meeting for the Club to purchase a new printer. | ||
+ | |||
The Club's off-set printer requires a degree of skill to operate. This has created a problem which has plagued the magazine printing for some time - very few people are interested in learning to use the printer. As I am now Editor, I'm no longer involved with the actual printing, but feel considerable concern at the lack of volunteers to do the printing. | The Club's off-set printer requires a degree of skill to operate. This has created a problem which has plagued the magazine printing for some time - very few people are interested in learning to use the printer. As I am now Editor, I'm no longer involved with the actual printing, but feel considerable concern at the lack of volunteers to do the printing. | ||
- | If a simple and satisfactory duplicator were used, the Club would | + | |
- | have a better chance of getting a ' | + | If a simple and satisfactory duplicator were used, the Club would have a better chance of getting a ' |
- | can now print on bond paper, reproduce drawings and even photos. These duplicators are simple enough to be operated by an office junior. | + | |
- | As duplicators are a one-person operation, this would allow two or three people to divide the printing between them, Each could put in a couple of hours on consecutive evenings, instead of two people spending | + | As duplicators are a one-person operation, this would allow two or three people to divide the printing between them. Each could put in a couple of hours on consecutive evenings, instead of two people spending |
- | five or six hours doing the printing in one night. There are very few | + | |
- | members who have the expertise to operate an off-set printer, and even fewer who want to stand in a garage until midnight, doing the Club's printing. | + | This ' |
- | This ' | + | |
- | primary reason for looking at replacement equipment. I have visited the | + | ---- |
- | various suppliers of duplicators, | + | |
- | strations. Further demonstrations can be arranged for those interested. The information collected has been given to the Committee, and a decision can be made regarding funds for the purchase of new equipment as and when the current printers require it. | + | ===== Walking in the Top End (The Northern Territory and Western Australia) |
- | September 1989 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 3 | + | |
- | Immo- | + | === Keep River, Bungle Bungle and Kakadu National Parks: May-June 1989 - Part I: Keep River NP. === |
- | Walking in the Top End (The Northern Territory and Western Australia) | + | |
- | (First Week - 6th to 12th May 1989) Jan Mohandas | + | (First Week - 6th to 12th May 1989) |
- | Saturday. | + | |
- | Sunday | + | Jan Mohandas |
- | paintings including the sacred rainbow serpent. We found a delightful camping area on sand upstream in the Keep River. We had the tents up and fire going at 6.00 pm. Chris made Tabouli and Russell cooked dried fish, potatoes and fresh vegetables (pumpkin, choko and carrots) mixed with canned tomatoes. Sue, Neil, Judy, Brian and others helped in cooking dinner and | + | |
- | + | __Saturday, | |
- | | + | |
- | ( National Park, | + | __Sunday |
- | Page 4 The Sydney Bushwalker September 1989 | + | |
- | organizing breakfast and lunch everyday. Russell cooked potatoes in his camp oven. We had wine and then dinner. | + | [ Map of Bungle Bungle National Park ] |
- | MOndayjnielayla | + | |
- | TheldayjaMayaPleasant | + | __Monday 8th May 89__: I was quite happy to get up early every morning and light the campfire. After breakfast, the food share (about 4 kg per person) was carried out, and we left the campsite at 8.40 am (NT time). After getting the vehicles organized, we started to walk along the fire trail at 9.10 am. Our plan was to go around the massif (walk north first, then west and finally south), walk upstream along a creek which flows through the massif in order to reach the site for our base camp for the next 3 days in the gorge, flanked by high rocky walls. After about 6 km at a fork in the fire trail we took the left branch. It swung to west and then to south. Left the fire trail soon, walked towards south and later stopped for morning tea at 11.15 am. Temp then reached 32 C. Feeling very warm but not humid. Very pleasant in the shade and also due to gentle breeze. Stopped often to look at plants like Turkey bush with plenty of pink flowers and pandanas palms. We were walking near the rocky area, but through speargrass (about 2 m high) towards south. The rock formations were red in colour and had a pagoda like appearance and there were a large number of them everywhere. Many refer to the Keep R NP as mini Bungles. At about 12.25 pm we found a shady spot on the south side of a rocky area which was about 15 m high. We decided to have an early lunch at that spot. Russell said that usually his habit was to stop for lunch around 1.30 pm in order to get as much walking done before it got too hot. We all carried about a litre of water each. For lunch we generally had Ryvita, cheese, tomatoes, salami, tinned fish, jam, honey, peanut butter and carrots. We had similar lunch everyday. We left that lunch spot at 2.15 pm. We walked towards northwest and climbed up to get excellent views to the west and then saw several natural arches and plenty of interesting plants. We wandered around this exceptionally beautiful area (3.10 pm), then we headed towards further west and scrambled down a gully to find a delightful waterhole. Everyone had a dip in the water and had drinks and rest till 4.00 pm. Reached the big creek (camping area upstream) at 4.30 pm, walking towards west. We turned south to walk along the creek upstream. We were now walking through a gorge with high cliffs on both sides. Reached the camping area at 5.15 pm. Just before we got there, we saw Andrew Griffiths and another walker standing on top of the cliff. There were 7 in Andrew' |
- | 1Yeskraday,...10ALMax.82.L | + | |
- | up to the top of the cliff on the western side of the gorge to watch the sunrise. About 100 meters climb. Beautiful morning. Sunrise was at about 7.05 am. Very clear and beautiful. Then we went to the edge to look down towards the campsite. We saw Russell getting the porridge ready. Bit of scrambling to get down. 7.30 am return. Then we had breakfast. Joan and Peter regularly had early morning swims as soon as they got up. Some others went for swim afterwards. Then it was time to get ready. The party now seems to have settled into a routine. Here in Keep, the sunlight became adequate at | + | __Tuesday, 9th May 89__: Pleasant |
- | September 1989 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 5 | + | |
- | 6.45 am and got dark at 6.45 pm. We left the campsite at 9.50 am for our second day walk. Brian stayed back to nurse his right foot which gave him some trouble yesterday. We crossed over to the other side of the major creek, walked downstream to pick up the second side creek to the east which eventually led to a gorge. At 10.20 am we stopped to look at some abyriginal | + | __Wednesday, 10th May 89__: At 6.30 am 11 of us went up to the top of the cliff on the western side of the gorge to watch the sunrise. About 100 meters climb. Beautiful morning. Sunrise was at about 7.05 am. Very clear and beautiful. Then we went to the edge to look down towards the campsite. We saw Russell getting the porridge ready. Bit of scrambling to get down. 7.30 am return. Then we had breakfast. Joan and Peter regularly had early morning swims as soon as they got up. Some others went for swim afterwards. Then it was time to get ready. The party now seems to have settled into a routine. Here in Keep, the sunlight became adequate at 6.45 am and got dark at 6.45 pm. We left the campsite at 9.50 am for our second day walk. Brian stayed back to nurse his right foot which gave him some trouble yesterday. We crossed over to the other side of the major creek, walked downstream to pick up the second side creek to the east which eventually led to a gorge. At 10.20 am we stopped to look at some aboriginal |
- | Thursday, 11th May 89: We had breakfast and left the base camp at 9.15 am. We walked downstream a short while, crossed the main creek and took the first side creek on the eastern side of the campsite. After doing some scrambling up to the right side of the creek we saw a nice reasonably big rock pool. At 9.45 am we walked through a cave (the creek was flowing through) and saw some aboriginal paintings. Then as we walked up, we saw another big water hole. After climbing up, we saw a gigantic water hole. Russell said that these two pools were permanent water holes. We walked upstream scrambling up rocks as well as walking in sand. At 11.00 am we came to a fork in the creek, left towards south and right towards west. We decided to take the left creek and walk right through the massif and to camp at the bottom. At about 1.00 pm we came near some rocky area, on top of the massif. Russell climbed up to the top of one of the high rocky outcrops to get some idea about exactly where we were. Most of the people rested under a rock in the shade. We walked east till 1.35 pm andfound | + | |
- | Erldayilth | + | __Thursday, 11th May 89__: We had breakfast and left the base camp at 9.15 am. We walked downstream a short while, crossed the main creek and took the first side creek on the eastern side of the campsite. After doing some scrambling up to the right side of the creek we saw a nice reasonably big rock pool. At 9.45 am we walked through a cave (the creek was flowing through) and saw some aboriginal paintings. Then as we walked up, we saw another big water hole. After climbing up, we saw a gigantic water hole. Russell said that these two pools were permanent water holes. We walked upstream scrambling up rocks as well as walking in sand. At 11.00 am we came to a fork in the creek, left towards south and right towards west. We decided to take the left creek and walk right through the massif and to camp at the bottom. At about 1.00 pm we came near some rocky area, on top of the massif. Russell climbed up to the top of one of the high rocky outcrops to get some idea about exactly where we were. Most of the people rested under a rock in the shade. We walked east till 1.35 pm and found a shady spot beside a high rocky area and had lunch. It was getting very hot. Aroung 3.00 pm several of us went up to the top of the rocky area, to look at the wonderful views. We were able to see the " |
- | FROM EVERY STATE, | + | |
- | AUSTRALIAN MADE | + | __Friday 12th May 89__: Beautiful morning. No clouds in the sky. After breakfast, we got ready early in the morning to leave at 8.30 am. Russell and Patrick left at 8.00 am to walk about 10 km to go to the picnic area and get the vehicles for the party. The rest of us (12) with Chris leading the way walked east through tall speargrass for 1 hr and 15 min to get to the firetrail, about 5 km short of the picnic area. We stayed under the shade of a tree where Russell and Patrick had left their packs. We then had morning tea. Russell and Patrick arrived at 10.20 am. We put all our packs in the vehicles and left at 10.40 am. We drove to the Ranger' |
- | IS GREAT! | + | |
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Eastwood Camping Centre. === | ||
+ | |||
+ | From every State, Australian Made is great! | ||
QLD | QLD | ||
- | | + | |
- | Butter Concentrate | + | * QBB Butter Concentrate |
- | | + | |
+ | NT | ||
+ | |||
+ | * Beef Jerkey | ||
WA | WA | ||
- | | + | |
- | Goretex Clothing Cycle Panniers | + | * Wilderness Equipment Backpacks |
+ | | ||
+ | * Cycle Panniers | ||
+ | |||
+ | ACT | ||
+ | |||
+ | * National Maps | ||
SA | SA | ||
- | | + | |
- | F1' | + | * Rossi Boots |
- | Vic | + | * Flinders |
- | | + | |
- | | + | VIC |
- | Giant Trees Dried meals | + | |
+ | * Outgear Backpacks Accessories | ||
+ | | ||
+ | | ||
NSW | NSW | ||
- | | + | |
- | | + | * Sleeping Bags - J & H, Mont, Romans |
- | Mont, J & H, Superior | + | |
- | | + | |
- | High Tops, Summit Gear | + | |
- | | + | |
- | Holeproof | + | * Trailblazer |
- | Undies 4 Socks | + | |
- | Trailblazir | + | |
- | DB 5tuff | + | TAS |
- | Canyon bags TAS. | + | |
- | | + | * Blundstone Boots |
- | ACT | + | |
- | | + | 3 Trelawney St (PO Box 131) Eastwood NSW 2122. |
- | /IF | + | |
- | EASTWOOD | + | Phone us today & say " |
- | CAMPING | + | |
- | CENTRE | + | 02-858-3833 |
- | 3 Trelawney St (PO Box 131) Eastwood NSW 2122 | + | |
- | PHONE US TODAY & SAY(GI | + | ---- |
- | 2-858-3833 | + | |
- | September 1989 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 7 | + | ===== South East Forests. ===== |
- | SOUTH-EAST FORESTS | + | |
- | In the rugged ranges of south-east NSW, the moist eucalypt forests have been logged for timber all of this century, supporting small villages such as Wyndham with its huge log in its little park, and small towns such as Nimitabel and Eden. The late 1960's saw a dramatic | + | by Ainslie Morris |
- | change from saw logging for the building industry to clear-felling for the manufacture of | + | |
- | woodchips. The Total Environment | + | In the rugged ranges of south-east NSW, the moist eucalypt forests have been logged for timber all of this century, supporting small villages such as Wyndham with its huge log in its little park, and small towns such as Nimitabel and Eden. The late 1960's saw a dramatic change from saw logging for the building industry to clear-felling for the manufacture of woodchips. The Total Environment |
- | all trees by bulldozers, and the consequent soil erosion and depletion of wildlife habitat. Harris-Daishowa, | + | |
- | Now the fully Japanese owned Daishowa International, | + | Now the fully Japanese owned Daishowa International, |
- | Enter the Wilderness Society, now a successful Australia-wide conservation lobby group since the Franklin campaign in Tasmania. With T.E.C. as well as numerous local groups, forming | + | |
- | the South-East Forest Alliance, or S.E.F.A., it has tried for years to have the national parks | + | Enter the Wilderness Society, now a successful Australia-wide conservation lobby group since the Franklin campaign in Tasmania. With T.E.C. as well as numerous local groups, forming the South-East Forest Alliance, or S.E.F.A., it has tried for years to have the national parks extended in the area to include Coolangubra, |
- | extended in the area to include Coolangubra, | + | |
- | National Estate approval because of their high wilderness value, especially as habitats for endangered species of arboreal mammals such as possums, gliders and koalas. | + | The media have told the story more recently so there should be no need to reiterate details here; they are obtainable on information sheets from The Wilderness Society, 53 Liverpool Street, Sydney. The campaign, however, changed at the end of February from the level of polite scientific submissions and letter-writing to direct action. The Federal Government renewed the export licence for woodchips in 1988 and after a moratorium and failed negotiations, |
- | The media have told the story more recently so there should be no need to reiterate | + | |
- | details here; they are obtainable on information sheets from The Wilderness Society, 53 Liverpool Street, Sydney. The campaign, however, changed at the end of February from the level of polite | + | I think you need a philosophy of life, well mixed with scientific facts, to give you a __Greenie__ |
- | scientific submissions and letter-writing to direct action. The Federal Government renewed the export licence for woodchips in 1988 and after a moratorium and failed negotiations, | + | |
- | bulldozers moved back in. It appears provocative for them to have moved into the heart of the | + | * All the __forest__ |
- | best forest areas. This is where the loggers meet protestors, meet police. This is called | + | * __Wilderness__ |
- | DIRECT ACTION. | + | * __Clean waters__ |
- | I think you need a philosophy of life, well mixed with scientific facts, to give you a GREENIE | + | |
- | o All the forest | + | And what do we __want__ to sustain our present life style? |
- | o Wilderness | + | |
- | o Clean waters | + | |
- | AND WHAT DO WE WANT TO SUSTAIN OUR PRESENT LIFE STYLE? | + | * Good bushwalking areas |
- | * Good logs for construction timber | + | * Good areas for scientific research. |
- | * Good bushwalking areas | + | |
- | * Good areas for scientific research. | + | The next question is, do we need and/or want __woodchips__ |
- | The next question is, do we need and/or want woodchips | + | |
- | answer is yes, then we could ask if they can be obtained from other forests. The Wilderness | + | ---- |
- | Society studies show that eucalypt plantations could be established on marginal rural land mostly west of the natural forests, but the N.S.W. | + | |
- | of this. But I believe that humanity is now at the crossroads of survival, and reafforestation | + | === December deadline for Coolangubra. === |
- | at any cost must be given a go. | + | |
- | * II | + | In December the woodchipping licence is due to be renewed for 15 years. According to the Forestry Commission, by year 2013 only 350,000 tonnes of pulpwood will be available each year. Yet if the supply falls below 800,000 tonnes, Harris Daishowa will close. The imputation |
- | [DECEMBER DEADLINE FOR COOLANGUBRA | + | |
- | In December the woodchipping licence is due to be renewed for 15 years. According to the | + | Editor. |
- | Forestry Commission, by year 2013 only 350,000 tonnes of pulpwood will be available each year. Yet | + | |
- | if the supply falls below 800,000 tonnes, Harris Daishowa will close. The imputatirOil | + | ---- |
- | Having razed the forest for 15 years, Harris Daishowa will simply go elsewhere. Then what will the | + | |
- | people of Eden do for jobs? It is unlikely there will be enough suitable logs to support evan a | + | ===== High On The Khumbu - Part 2. ===== |
- | small mill. If this disaster is to be averted, start writing | + | |
- | the Sydney papers. | + | |
- | EDITOR.. | + | |
- | HIGH ON THE KHUMBU | + | |
- | PART 2 | + | |
by Wendy Lippiart & Sever Sternhell | by Wendy Lippiart & Sever Sternhell | ||
- | Page 8 The Sydney Bushwalker | ||
- | basic English from Bir. | + | We spent day five acclimatising at Dingboche and walked up to about 16,000 ft up a ridge between Dingboche and Periche. Unfortunately, |
- | , | + | |
- | Labuche is another " | + | On day six we pressed on to Chhukhung, a tiny isolated yarsa with two lodges about three hours away and by the time we reached it the weather was clearing to reveal a breath-taking glacial landscape, dominated by a still different view of Ama Dablam, the great wall of Lhotse towering above our heads and the spectacular fluted ice ridges of the Amphu Habtsa range. Our lodge, whilst very small and primitive boasted a solar panel of Spanish origin |
- | fied" yarsa and the AMS cg4; | + | |
- | capital of the world. At | + | On day seven in brilliant conditions we walked toward Island Peak (the only " |
- | just over 16,000 ft the c'Ao | + | |
- | atmospheric pressure is | + | On day eight, still in good weather, we reached Labuche. We were walking well at high altitude keeping high above the river valley which bears directly north between Periche and Labuche. The views changed with progress along the track, but remained spectacular with the oddly shaped peak of Taboche dominating the landscape. Just before reaching Labuche, the well-graded trail ascends about 1000 ft, but this trivial climb makes one's lungs work hard at this altitude. The French sounding suffixes of the Khumbu place names apparently derive from a sainted Lama " |
- | resT5r-ii) | + | |
- | half that at sea level and FtAts, (GI 69) | + | [ Map of Khumbu. ] |
- | most trekkers find it hard to sleep, suffer headaches and lose appetite. Our group was much better | + | |
- | acclimatised than most due to our side-trip to | + | Day nine was devoted to the ritual climb of Kala Pater, the Mecca of all Khumbu treks. This rounded green hill topped by a pile of boulders towers about 1500 feet above the Khumbu glacier and the Everest base camp, which are clearly visible. We had excellent weather and great 360° views with Everest, Pumo Ri and Nuptse (now seen sidewise as a sharp peak rather than a wall) dominating the landscape. We were also able to follow the progress of a Korean climbing party on Nuptse. The four climbers, clearly seen through Wendy' |
- | Chhukhung (parties generally proceed directly from | + | |
- | Dingboche to Labouche) and | + | Our sherpa, Bir, urged us to proceed from Labuche directly to Gokyo via a high pass (Chola La) as we had originally planned, but we chickened out mainly because a party of three tough-looking British and American trekkers we met at Labouche had just come that way from Gokyo and found it horrific. In retrospect, we feel that they must have followed a wrong route because others had no problems. In the event, we spent day ten taking a long way to Portse, a genuine (i.e., not trekkified) Sherpa village. It was the only place where one of our porters had trouble communicating because some of the locals could not speak Nepali, only the local language - Sherpa. |
- | A eccompi.k | + | |
- | we were not unduly distressed. It is also hard to determine | + | Between Pangboche and Portse, the trail runs very high above the northern bank of Imja Khola affording good views south and surprising helicopter traffic to and from Tengboche. We learned later, that they were ferrying out people with AMS. We also saw many impressive wild mountain goats. These chamois-like creatures, as benefitting the Himalayas, are larger than their European counterparts. From Portse, there was a clear evening view up the valley of Dudh Kosi to Gokyo and beyond and we could clearly see the great pyramid of Cho Oya (8153 m) at the head of the valley due north. |
- | whether the feeling of Rx.b5 | + | |
- | lightheadedness is due to Pholug-5 Riverb Lr-ke. | + | Day eleven was spent trekking up the valley of Dudh Kosi to Machermo and, although the track is nearly all above 14,000 ft, we were so well acclimatsed that altitude presented no difficulty. In the tiny hamlet of Mechem (best known for Yeti sightings) there was only one open lodge and it was full of trekkers, mainly a group of Brits serving with the British Army on the Rhine in West Germany. Although quite pleasant, they showed no inclination to crowd together. Our sherpa and porters squeezed in somehow while we pitched our tents (finally making use of them) in front of the lodge and spent a comfortable night at about 10°. |
- | mild mountain sickness, or | + | |
- | to the awe-inspiring t7.1.5,7 | + | Day twelve saw high cloud and the half-day trip to Gbkyo was icy but uneventful. Just before Gokyo, the trail passes two small lakes each one with a pair of brightly-coloured ducks floating on the ice-free patches in the middle. It is a mystery how these creatures survive the winter. We put up for the night in the less smoky of the two lodges which were open and slept soundly at 16,000 feet, while outside |
- | "t Am Simp scenery. RmALWAAd | + | |
- | Pftiftra, | + | By the morning of day thirteen, the landscape was pure white, the snow was still falling and spirits were low. We spent the morning watching our host attempting to round up his yaks before closing the lodge and going down the valley with the herd. At the outset, he had two out of the reputed 14 in the yard. By the time he came back with the third, the two escaped and trotted up in decreasing visibility up the slope of Gokyo Ri - we had no way of controlling the large surly beasts. By noon, we decided that staying at Gokyo was too risky - it is a very remote spot to be snowed in. We left behind our irrate host, 14 yaks, 3 Swiss, two Americans and the didi (literally elder sister, but in fact the term is used to describe any youngish woman) who ran the second lodge. Given what happened |
- | Surke. | + | |
- | September 1989 | + | While we regretted abandoning one of our prime objectives, climbing Gokyo Ri, a Kale Patar-like hill with a great view, our decision was very fortunate. We passed Machermo, where the Brits were still acclimatising and wondering what to do next in view of the continuing snow, and pressed on to Dole. By the end of day thirteen, a very white Christmas Day, we were comfortably settled in a large lodge of which we were the sole occupants. |
- | We spent day five acclimatising at Dingboche and walked up to about 16,000 ft up a ridge between Dingboche and Periche. Unfortunately, | + | |
- | cloud and by the time we returned, it was snowing in Dingboche and continued all night. | + | During the night, the weather turned into a Himalayan blizzard - it was snowing inside the lodge through the numerous cracks and it was difficult to determine in the zero visibility if the snow was falling thickly or was being merely blown about. These conditions persisted during the whole of day fourteen, and only the horns could be seen of the several large yaks in the yard. Very soon, snow accumulated against the door so that certain necessary trips became a problem and the usual feminist complaints concerning the unfair male endowments became heard. Fortunately, |
- | On day six we pressed on to Chhukhung, a tiny isolated yarsa with two lodges about three hours away and by the time we reached it the weather was clearing to reveal a breath-taking glacial landscape, dominated by a still different view of Ama Dablam, the great wall of Lhotse towering above our heads and the spectacular fluted ice ridges of the Amphu Habtsa range. Our lodge, whilst very small and primitive boasted a solar panel of Spanish origin | + | |
- | apd hence electric lights. | + | Day fifteen dawned in brilliant sunshine, the lodge owner dug out his yaks, and the toilet could be reached after some digging. More digging produced a path to the brow of the hill (Dole is in a hollow) and we thought that our problem was essentially over because we imagined that the huge drift in which our lodge nestled was merely rearranged snow and we expected to find some bare track for every drift on our way down the valley. It soon became obvious that snow 3 to 6 feet deep covered all of our route. Progress was slow and painful, not helped by the fact that Bir, who naturally took the lead, wore jeans which quickly soaked through and froze. Wendy (literally swimming through snow) and Buddha (using his strong body as a bulldozer) relieved Bir over considerable stretches, but by the time we reached a military post at Portse Tsenga, we were all tired and Bir was close to exhaustion and hypothermia. He nevertheless |
- | On day seven in brilliant conditions we walked toward Island Peak (the only " | + | |
- | the landscape is entirely glacial and all around us were towering peaks freshly covered with | + | Day sixteen was taken up by trekking back to Namche via the Sherpa village of Khumjung nestling under the holy mountain of Khumbila. Fortunately some other party made the tracks through the snowy landscape thus making the trip pleasurable in great weather. Day seventeen, was a well-deserved rest in Namche, which presented a different aspect in the snow. |
- | pristine snow. We climbed fairly high (to 18,000 ft according to Bir, but lower on the map) | + | |
- | and well beyond the Island Peak base camp. When we got tired of oohing and aahing in the | + | |
- | thin air and shooting off metres of film, we returned to our lodge lightheaded, | + | |
- | On day eight, still in good weather, we reached Labuche. We were walking well at high | + | |
- | altitude keeping high above the river valley which bears directly north between Periche and | + | |
- | Labuche. The views changed with progress along the track, but remained spectacular with the | + | |
- | oddly shaped peak of Taboche dominating the landscape. Just before reaching Labuche, the | + | |
- | well-graded trail ascends about 1000 ft, but this trivial climb makes one's lungs work hard | + | |
- | at this altitude. The French | + | |
- | sounding suffixes of the Khumbu | + | |
- | ocow | + | |
- | place names apparently derive | + | |
- | down" at these spots - but we cannot vouch for this information as we received it in | + | |
- | September 1989 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 9 | + | |
- | Day nine was devoted to the ritual climb of Kala Pater, the Mecca of all Khumbu treks. This rounded green hill topped by a pile of boulders towers about 1500 feet above the Khumbu glacier and the Everest base camp, which are clearly visible. We had excellent weather and great 3600 views with Everest, Pumo Ri and Nuptse (now seen sidewise as a sharp peak rather than a wall) dominating the landscape. We were also able to follow the progress of a Korean | + | |
- | climbing party on Nuptse. The four climbers, clearly seen through Wendy' | + | |
- | close to the top with two of them following fixed ropes and the two lead ones climbing free | + | |
- | on what looked like an 800 ice field. | + | |
- | will lose many fingers between them. | + | |
- | Our sherpa, Bir, urged us to proceed from Labuche directly to Gokyo via a high pass (Chola La) as we had originally planned, but we chickened out mainly because a party of three tough-looking British and American trekkers we met at Labouche had just come that way from Gokyo and found it horrific. In retrospect, we feel that they must have followed a wrong | + | |
- | route because others had no problems. In the event, we spent day ten taking a long way to | + | |
- | Portse, a genuine (i.e., not trekkified) Sherpa village. It was the only place where one of our porters had trouble communicating because some of the locals could not speak Nepali, only the local language - Sherpa. | + | |
- | Between Pangboche and Portse, the trail runs very high above the northern bank of Imja Khola affording good views south and surprising helicopter traffic to and from Tengboche. | + | |
- | We learned later, that they were ferrying out people with AMS. We also saw many impressive | + | |
- | wild mountain goats. These chamois-like creatures, as benefitting the Himalayas, are larger | + | |
- | than their European counterparts. From Portse, there was a clear evening view up the valley | + | |
- | of Dudh Kosi to Gokyo and beyond and we could clearly see the great pyramid of Cho Oya (8153 m) at the head of the valley due north. | + | |
- | Day eleven was spent trekking up the valley of Dudh Kosi to Machermo and, although the track is nearly all above 14,000 ft, we were so well acclimatsed that altitude presented no difficulty. In the tiny hamlet of Mechem (best known for Yeti sightings) there was only one | + | |
- | open lodge and it was full of trekkers, mainly a group of Brits serving with the British Army | + | |
- | on the Rhine in West Germany. Although quite pleasant, they showed no inclination to crowd | + | |
- | together. Our sherpa and porters squeezed in somehow while we pitched our tents (finally | + | |
- | making use of them) in front of the lodge and spent a comfortable night at about 10. | + | |
- | Day twelve saw high cloud and the half-day trip to Gbkyo was icy liut uneventful. Just | + | |
- | before Gokyo, the trail passes two small lakes each one with a pair of brightly-coloured ducks | + | |
- | floating on the ice-free patches in the middle. It is a mystery how these creatures survive | + | |
- | the winter. We put up for the night in the less smoky of the two lodges which were open and slept soundly at 16,000 feet, while outsdie | + | |
- | By the morning of day thirteen, the landscape was pure white, the snow was still falling and spirits were low. We spent the morning watching our host attempting to round up his yaks | + | |
- | before closing the lodge and going down the valley with the herd. At the outset, he had two | + | |
- | out of the reputed 14 in the yard. By the time he came back with the third, the two escaped | + | |
- | and trotted up in decreasing visibility up the slope of Gokyo Ri we had no way of controlling | + | |
- | the large surly beasts. By noon, we decided that staying at Gokyo was too risky it is a | + | |
- | very remote spot to be snowed in. We left behind our irrate host, 14 yaks, 3 Swiss, two | + | |
- | Americans and the didi (literally elder sister, but in fact the term is used to describe any | + | |
- | youngish woman) who ran the second lodge. Given what happed | + | |
- | uncomfortable week. | + | |
- | While we regretted abandoning one of our prime objectives, climbing Gokyo Ri, a Kale Patar-like hill with a great view, our decision was very fortunate. We passed Machermo, where | + | |
- | the Brits were still acclimatising and wondering what to do next in view of the continuing snow, | + | |
- | and pressed on to Dole. By the end of day thirteen, a very white Christmas Day, we were | + | |
- | comfortably settled in a large lodge of which we were the sole occupants. | + | |
- | During the night, the weather turned into a Himalayan blizzard - it was snowing inside the lodge through the numerous cracks and it was difficult to determine in the zero visibility if the snow was falling thickly or was being merely blown about. These conditions persisted | + | |
- | during the whole of day fourteen, and only the horns could be seen of the several large yaks in | + | |
- | the yard. Very soon, snow accumulated against the door so that certain necessary trips became | + | |
- | Page 10 The Sydney Bushwalker September 1989 | + | |
- | a problem and the usual feminist complaints concerning the unfair male endowments became heard. Fortunately, | + | |
- | Bay fifteen dawned in brilliant sunshine, the lodge owner dug out his yaks, and the toilet could be reached after some digging. More digging produced a path to the brow of the hill (Dole is in a hollow) and we thought that our problem was essentially over because we imagined that the huge drift in which our lodge nestled was merely rearranged snow and we expected to | + | |
- | find some bare track for every drift on our way dqwn the valley. It soon became obvious that | + | |
- | snow 3 to 6 feet deep covered all of our route. Progress was slow and painful, not helped by | + | |
- | the fact that Bir, who naturally took the lead, wore jeans which quickly soaked through and | + | |
- | froze. Wendy (literally swimming through snow) and Buddha (using his strong body as a bull- | + | |
- | dozer) relieved Bir over considerable stretches, but by the time we reached a military post at | + | |
- | Portse Tsenga, we were all tired and Bir was close to exhaustion and hypothermia. He never- | + | |
- | theless | + | |
- | Day sixteen was taken up by trekking back to Namche via the Sherpa village of Khumjung nestling under the holy mountain of Khumbila. Fortunately some other party made the tracks | + | |
- | through the snowy landscape thus making the trip pleasurable in great weather. Day seventeen, | + | |
- | was a well-deserved rest in Namche, which presented a different aspect in the snow. | + | |
Thus we spent a total of 17 days in the high country and, with the exception of our retreat Prom Gokyo, we achieved all of our objectives with the minimum of fuss in spite of the unseasonal snow falls. It can be done and easily done at that. | Thus we spent a total of 17 days in the high country and, with the exception of our retreat Prom Gokyo, we achieved all of our objectives with the minimum of fuss in spite of the unseasonal snow falls. It can be done and easily done at that. | ||
- | The trip back to Jiri was a virtual play-back of our approach journey. We spent a pleasant New Year's Eve in Khari Khola drinking a negligible amount of beer and eating some tins of Thai | + | |
- | sardines to mark the festive occasion with a couple of Kiwi girls and other trekkers. One of | + | The trip back to Jiri was a virtual play-back of our approach journey. We spent a pleasant New Year's Eve in Khari Khola drinking a negligible amount of beer and eating some tins of Thai sardines to mark the festive occasion with a couple of Kiwi girls and other trekkers. One of us found some aspect of this party too much for the system, spent the rest of the night throwing up and greeted 1989 looking like a ghost. Nevertheless, |
- | us found some aspect of this party too much for the system, spent the rest of the night throwing | + | |
- | up and greeted 1989 looking like a ghost. Nevertheless, | + | The bus trip from Jiri to Kathmandu was only moderately uncomfortable and we recovered during four days in Kathmandu catching up on eating well, showering, shopping and visiting |
- | day over the Tragsindo Pass and, too tired to complain, collapsed without eating at Ringmo while the rest of us sat up sampling locally made apple brandy the only potable drink produced in | + | |
- | Nepal. A third unseasonal snowfall caught us on the Lamjura Pass (3530 m, 11,580 ft) to be | + | ---- |
- | Followd | + | |
- | The bus trip from Jiri to Kathmandu was only moderately uncomfortable and we recovered during four days in Kathmandu catching up on eating well, showering, shopping and itisiting | + | === The way of the tiger. === |
- | THE WAY OF THE TIGER.... | + | |
- | When Peter Treseder decided to draw attention to the need for National Parks, he did it by journeying down the east coast through 58 National Parks. In 41 days he covered 5,500 Km without a support party - only food dumps every 500 Km. Along the way, the Jardine River caught his interest. So he returned with a party of four to canoe its full length. It took them 3 weeks to make the double journey of 500 Km. Due to | + | When Peter Treseder decided to draw attention to the need for National Parks, he did it by journeying down the east coast through 58 National Parks. In 41 days he covered 5,500 Km without a support party - only food dumps every 500 Km. Along the way, the Jardine River caught his interest. So he returned with a party of four to canoe its full length. It took them 3 weeks to make the double journey of 500 Km. Due to extremely dense rainforest and dangerous Esturine (' |
- | extremely dense rainforest and dangerous Esturine (' | + | |
Want to hear (and see) the rest of the story? | Want to hear (and see) the rest of the story? | ||
- | COME TO THE CLUBROOM ON OCTOBER 25th, when Peter will be showing his slides on these epic journeys. Tiger walking indeed! | + | |
- | September 1989 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 11 | + | __Come to the Clubroom on October 25th__, when Peter will be showing his slides on these epic journeys. Tiger walking indeed! |
- | THE AUGUSTGENERALMEETING | + | |
- | The Club's Top Brass, that is, President Don Finch and Vice Kenn Clacher, both had other fish to fry (or maybe skis to wax) on the evening of August 9th, when former President Barbara Bruce declared the General Meeting open at 8.10 pm. (Note - your usual political | + | ---- |
- | roundsman, Barry Wallace, would render this as 2010 hours, but he too was one of the apologies | + | |
- | and was also waxing skis). The fourth apology came from Conservation Officer, Alex Colley, | + | ===== The August General Meeting. ===== |
- | who was not doing anything with skis. 'In fact, there was such a meagre gathering that the | + | |
- | question was asked whether we had a quorum, and we had, but not by a big margin. Even two | + | by Jim Brown |
- | freshly-admitted members were not present to be decorated. Reporter' | + | |
- | they were male and the Chairperson was not, would they have been kissed on reception? | + | The Club's Top Brass, that is, President Don Finch and Vice Kenn Clacher, both had other fish to fry (or maybe skis to wax) on the evening of August 9th, when former President Barbara Bruce declared the General Meeting open at 8.10 pm. (Note - your usual political roundsman, Barry Wallace, would render this as 2010 hours, but he too was one of the apologies and was also waxing skis). The fourth apology came from Conservation Officer, Alex Colley, who was not doing anything with skis. In fact, there was such a meagre gathering that the question was asked whether we had a quorum, and we had, but not by a big margin. Even two freshly-admitted members were not present to be decorated. Reporter' |
- | There was nothing arising from the July Minutes, and only a few items of Correspondence. This included a letter of resignation from Sue and Bill BLackwell, returning to their homeland in USA, and thanking the Club for the opportunity it gave them to see something of the less frequented bits of Australia. SBW members going to the Massachusetts area would be happily | + | |
- | greeted at their home after they are re-established there. The Wilderness Society thanked us for our support and gave notice of another Ball to be held late in August; and the Tree Rescue Group noted with pleasure Jim Oxley' | + | There was nothing arising from the July Minutes, and only a few items of Correspondence. This included a letter of resignation from Sue and Bill Blackwell, returning to their homeland in USA, and thanking the Club for the opportunity it gave them to see something of the less frequented bits of Australia. SBW members going to the Massachusetts area would be happily greeted at their home after they are re-established there. The Wilderness Society thanked us for our support and gave notice of another Ball to be held late in August; and the Tree Rescue Group noted with pleasure Jim Oxley' |
- | in the South-East Forests. It is to be reproduced in their newsletter. | + | |
- | Treasurer Spiro reported that receipts for the last month amounted to $1687 (including about $1240 in subscriptions from people who just missed the axe as unfinancial). | + | Treasurer Spiro reported that receipts for the last month amounted to $1687 (including about $1240 in subscriptions from people who just missed the axe as unfinancial). |
- | ments included the standard items of rental, postages on two issues of the magazine, grog for the Mid-Winter Feast, and the like, and a request for approval to pay the Federation dues. The bank balance stood at $2480. | + | |
- | On to the Walks Report. For several months lately the customary plaint was "wet.. wet | + | On to the Walks Report. For several months lately the customary plaint was "wet... wet... wet". Since the end of the Big Wet in June, this time it tended to be " |
- | ...wet" | + | |
- | cold". The flavour of the month was ski-touring - with five out of the 17 trips listed on | + | On the following weekend 21/24 July there were two ski-touring jaunts programmed, and both went. Ian Wolfe (party of 4) arrived at Cesjacks to find snow on the ground and "about 8 inches overnight" |
- | the program coming into that catagory. The first weekend included Morrie Ward's walking at | + | |
- | Barrington and on Wangat River (very cold). Nine folk were there, a giant snail shell was | + | |
- | discovered, and the trip included a steep ridge ascent and a longish trail march on the last | + | |
- | day, but was very satisfying. That weekend Jan Mohandas had a walk from Kanangra to Gangerang, Kanangra Creek and Paralyser, and it is known that it went ahead, but no inform- | + | |
- | ation was available. The same "nil report" | + | |
- | George Walton' | + | |
- | On the following weekend 21/24 July there were two ski-touring jaunts programmed, and | + | |
- | both went. Ian Wolfe (party of 4) arrived at Cesjacks to find snow on the ground and "about | + | |
- | 8 inches overnight" | + | |
- | Chris Perry' | + | |
- | camp on the snow " | + | |
- | Jim Oxley' | + | |
- | was recovering from recent surgery. Sixteen members and five prospectives went into the | + | |
- | Mangrove Creek area, west of Gosford, and fortunately found a generous overhang to shelter them for lunch near Mount Lockyer. | + | |
Over the following 28/31 July weekend Oliver Crawford took a trip from Newnes, originally programmed to go west along the Capertee/ | Over the following 28/31 July weekend Oliver Crawford took a trip from Newnes, originally programmed to go west along the Capertee/ | ||
- | Page 12 The Sydney Bushwalker September 1989 | + | |
- | The final weekend under notice again included two ski jaunts, but Ian Wolfe' | + | The final weekend under notice again included two ski jaunts, but Ian Wolfe' |
- | little or no snow around Jagungal, but to make it really cheerful there was visibility of | + | |
- | about 30 metres at times. Your reporter failed to note the combined attendance figures. | + | To the winding up stages. A fuller report by Reg Alder on the illness Giardia (summarised in the June magazine) was tabled to be read by any members interested, and Secretary Deborah Shapira announced that various magazines from other outdoor clubs were available for borrowing (and return) by members. Also some extra copies of the Colong Bulletin, supplied by Alex Colley. |
- | And to end the walking, Morrie Ward had the prize for the month with 27 citizens in the Wattagan country, south-west from Newcastle, passing through attractive patches of rain forest on a pleasant day. | + | |
- | To the winding up stages. A fuller report by Reg Alder on the illness Giardia (summarised in the June magazine) was tabled to be read by any members interested, and Secretary Deborah Shapira announced that various magazines from other outdoor clubs were | + | The final spice was a request from Federation that it be permitted to hold its 1990 Annual Reunion at Coolana on May 11/12/13. Committee had given a tentative blessing, subject to an announcement at the August meeting and resolution at the September General Meeting. Some speakers mentioned doubts in the past about the desirability of making known an attractive site to a larger body - even of walkers. Federation President Gordon Lee mentioned that it was becoming increasingly difficult to find a suitable camping place that could be reached by older walkers and family groups: that he felt it would show other clubs the sort of thing that conservation-minded walkers could achieve; and that any unruly element at Federation Reunions has been discouraged in recent years. While indicating general agreement, the meeting decided to leave it to be voted on next month. |
- | available for borrowing (and return) by members. Also some extra copies of the Colong | + | |
- | Bulletin, supplied by Alex Colley. | + | |
- | The final spice was a request from Federation that it be permitted to hold its 1990 Annual Reunion at Coolana on May 11/12/13. Committee had given a tentative blessing, subject to an announcement at the August meeting and resolution at the September General Meeting. Some speakers mentioned doubts in the past about the desirability of making known an attractive site to a larger body - even of walkers. Federation President Gordon Lee mentioned that it was becoming increasingly difficult to find a suitable camping place that could be reached by older walkers and family groups: that he felt it would show other clubs the sort of thing that conservation-minded walkers could achieve; and that any unruly element at Federation Reunions has been discouraged in recent years. While indicating | + | |
- | general agreement, the meeting decided to leave it to be voted on next month. | + | |
Was all this said in 48 minutes? We wound up at 8.58 pm (oh, sorry, Barry - 2058 hours). | Was all this said in 48 minutes? We wound up at 8.58 pm (oh, sorry, Barry - 2058 hours). | ||
- | * * * * * * * * * * * | + | |
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- | PICK UP ANYWHERE FOR START OR FINISH OF YOUR WALK - BY PRIOR ARRANGEMENT | + | Kanangra Boyd. Upper Blue Mountains. Six Foot Track. |
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- | September 1989 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 13 | + | Pick up anywhere for start or finish of your walk - by prior arrangement. |
+ | |||
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+ | |||
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+ | |||
Letter to the Editor From Hans Stichter | Letter to the Editor From Hans Stichter | ||
It was with considerable interest that I read Frank Rigby' | It was with considerable interest that I read Frank Rigby' |
198909.txt · Last modified: 2019/05/21 12:51 by tyreless